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As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to surpass Jawaharlal Nehru's record and become India's longest continuously serving democratically elected Prime Minister, this special discussion examines the political, economic and diplomatic legacy of his 12 years in office.
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00:01Music
00:10June 10th marks a quiet but profound shift in India's political landscape.
00:17Prime Minister Narendra Modi will complete 4,399 days in office,
00:23surpassing Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's record of 4,398 days
00:29to become the longest continuously serving democratically elected Prime Minister in the country's history.
00:37Twelve unbroken years, three consecutive mandates.
00:42And in that span, he hasn't merely held on to power, he has steadily consolidated it.
00:50Reshaping institutions, centralizing authority and rewriting the rules of political dominance.
00:57On the show, we step back from the headlines to examine what these 12 years have truly meant for India.
01:06The tangible gains are hard to ignore.
01:09Jandhan accounts that pulled millions into the banking fold,
01:14Swachh Bharat toilets, Ujwala LPG connections, Ayushman health coverage,
01:21highways and airports that stitched the nation tighter,
01:25the GST, the abrogation of Article 370,
01:29the UPI digital leap,
01:31and a visible push towards self-reliance in defence and semiconductors.
01:37A narrative of delivery and ambition that millions of ordinary Indians have felt in their daily lives.
01:45From Modi 1.0's Big Bang reforms to 2.0's muscular outreach,
01:53and now NDA 3.0's coalition realities.
01:58How has this long tenure altered the DNA of Indian governance?
02:05What does this milestone of endurance and consolidation tell us about continuity
02:10and change in the world's largest democracy?
02:14And as the nation eyes Viksit Bharat 2047,
02:18what lies ahead on this road?
02:20We unpack the numbers, the reforms, the power shifts,
02:24and the stories that define these 12 years.
02:43For decades, this ground has been central to Bengal's political story.
02:57The left front held its biggest rallies here.
03:04Mamata Banerjee used it to demonstrate political strength
03:09after ending 34 years of communist rule.
03:18In May 2026, Brigade Parade Ground witnessed another political milestone.
03:26Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood alongside Suvendu Adhikari
03:32as Bengal's first BJP government prepared to take oath.
03:41Moments earlier, both leaders had paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore
03:46on his birth anniversary.
03:49The optics mattered.
03:51For years, the BJP had sought to position itself
03:56not as an outsider trying to enter Bengal.
04:04But as a party seeking a permanent place
04:09in Bengal's political landscape.
04:18The ceremony marked the culmination of a project
04:22that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah
04:25had pursued for more than a decade.
04:34Few states had occupied as much space
04:38in the BJP's political imagination.
04:42Few had demanded as much political investment.
04:47And few victories carried the symbolic weight
04:51that Bengal did for the BJP leadership.
05:04Let's see.
05:26The mandate was decisive.
05:34The BJP won 207 seats in the 293-member assembly.
05:41The Trinamool Congress, after 15 years in power, was reduced to 80.
05:50Mamata Banerjee lost Bhabanipur, a constituency that had become synonymous with her political
05:58career.
05:59Several senior Trinamool leaders were defeated, and Bengal's political map underwent its biggest
06:07change since Mamata Banerjee ended left rule in 2011.
06:16Since 2014, Modi and Shah had invested enormous political capital in Bengal.
06:24The BJP expanded from the margins to become the principal opposition force.
06:32It won 18 Lok Sabha seats in 2019, emerged as the principal challenger in 2021, and built
06:43an extensive organization across the state.
06:47Yet power remained elusive.
06:52The 2026 verdict finally converted years of political investment into political power.
07:02To understand why Bengal mattered so much to the BJP, it is necessary to return to June
07:122024.
07:23The 2024 Lok Sabha election delivered Narendra Modi a third consecutive term as Prime Minister.
07:31India.
07:32The NDA returned to power with a comfortable majority, and Modi joined a small group of leaders in
07:40independent India to secure three successive mandates.
07:49Yet, the election also marked the beginning of a different phase of governance.
07:56The BJP's tally fell below its 2019 performance.
08:07coalition politics, largely absent from the previous decade, returned to the centre of political
08:15discussion.
08:17The questions were not about whether Modi had won.
08:21He had.
08:22The NDA had secured a clean mandate to govern.
08:26The questions were about what a third term would look like.
08:33Would coalition compulsions slow decision-making?
08:37Would the BJP continue to expand electorally after a decade in power?
08:43Could Modi sustain the political momentum that had defined Indian politics since 2014?
08:49Those questions shaped much of the conversations around NDA 3.0.
09:00The government's first task was to demonstrate continuity.
09:05Parliament witnessed intense debates over major legislation, including the Waqf Amendment Act,
09:11and reforms relating to immigration and foreign nationals.
09:20The government continued to advance economic and governance measures while keeping larger,
09:27structural questions such as one nation, one election, women's reservation and future delimitation
09:35legislation exercises firmly on the political agenda.
09:42The legislative calendar suggested that the government was not approaching its third term cautiously.
09:51Despite depending on its allies, it continued to pursue politically sensitive reforms and remained willing
10:00to expand political capital on contentious issues.
10:05The message from the government was clear.
10:09The arithmetic in parliament may have changed, but the governing approach had not.
10:17At the same time, another test awaited the voters.
10:24The government has remained in the government.
10:26The government has remained in the government.
10:27The government has remained in the government.
10:30The first major electoral test came in Haryana.
10:52The BJP had been in power for a decade, farmer protests had left, a political imprint, and anti-incumbency was
11:01expected to play a role.
11:03Congress entered the election with renewed confidence after the Lok Sabha polls.
11:11Upinder Singh Huda remained one of the state's most influential political figures.
11:16And many within the Congress believed Haryana could become the first major state where the BJP's post-2024 vulnerabilities would
11:28be exposed.
11:30Instead under Nayab Singh Saini, the BJP secured a third consecutive term and became the first party in Haryana's history
11:41to achieve that feat.
11:46The result mattered beyond Haryana's 90 assembly seats.
11:52It suggested that the BJP's social coalition remained intact and that Narendra Modi continued to be the party's most effective
12:04campaigner.
12:10If Haryana stabilized the BJP's position after the Lok Sabha election, Maharashtra made it much more stronger.
12:24The stakes were significantly higher.
12:30Maharashtra had delivered setbacks to the BJP in the Lok Sabha election, and the opposition believed the assembly election would
12:39confirm a shift in voter sentiment.
12:43Congress, Uddhav Thakre's Shiv Sena faction, and Charat Pawar's NCP faction entered the contest convinced that the Mahayuti government was
12:55vulnerable.
12:59The verdict, however, was emphatic.
13:03The Mahayuti Alliance led by Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Chinde, and Ajit Pawar secured 230 of the state's 288 seats, while
13:15the BJP itself crossed the 130-seat mark.
13:19Congress, which had hoped Maharashtra would become the centerpiece of a broader opposition revival, found itself pushed back once again.
13:29Maharashtra suggested that the BJP's organizational strength remained intact, and that Modi's ability to mobilize voters remained one of the
13:40party's biggest political advantages.
13:43The NDA is a big deal.
13:50It shows that the country is now only and only want to be successful.
14:12The next chapter unfolded in Delhi.
14:16For 27 years, the BJP had remained out of power in the national camp.
14:31During that period, the Aamadmi Party transformed Delhi into its strongest political base and
14:40one of the country's most closely watched political experiments.
14:48The election therefore carried a significance beyond the formation of a government.
15:01The BJP won 48 of Delhi's 70 assembly seats.
15:08Arvind Kejriwal lost.
15:13Manish Sisodia lost.
15:16Several senior Aamadmi Party leaders were defeated.
15:21For nearly three decades, Delhi had remained one of the few major urban centers where the
15:28BJP's national dominance had not translated into control of the state government.
15:35The 2025 election changed that reality.
15:40The result also demonstrated that even in a contest dominated by local governance issues,
15:52Narendra Modi remained the BJP's central electoral asset.
15:58The NDA, where the NDA is, where the NDA is.
16:07The Vikaas is, the trust.
16:11The NDA, where the NDA is, we have reached the new Vikaas' new position.
16:24by the time Bihar voted later that year the political conversation looked very
16:29different from the one that followed the looks of high elections the BJP was no
16:34longer being assessed through the prism of seat losses in 2024 it was being
16:39judged by what it was continuing to achieve afterwards the Mahagat Bandhan
16:47entered the contest with considerable expectations Tejasvi Yadav had spent
16:55years positioning himself as the principal challenger to Nitish Kumar and
17:01campaigned aggressively on issues of unemployment migration and governance the
17:10opposition hoped anti-incumbency against the government that had been in office
17:15in one form or another for two decades would finally produce a political
17:22opening the verdict favored the NDA the Alliance won 204 of Bihar's 243 seats the
17:36BJP secured 89 seats while the JDU added 85 the result reinforced two realities the
17:51NDA remained politically stable and Nitish Kumar continued to be one of the most
17:57consequential alliance partners in Indian politics for Tejasvi Yadav the election
18:11represented another missed opportunity for the BJP it reinforced the sense that the
18:22electoral momentum built after Haryana and Maharashtra had not slowed together
18:31Haryana Maharashtra Delhi and Bihar steadily altered the political landscape of Modi's third term
18:40that momentum eventually returned the BJP to Bengal few states had occupied as much space in the BJP's
18:51political imagination for Modi and Shah Bengal represented unfinished business it was one of
19:00the few major states where the party had expanded dramatically without translating that growth into power
19:10Amit Shah's role in that journey was central
19:16from building the party's booth structure to overseeing organization expansion district by district
19:25Shah treated Bengal as one of the BJP's most important long-term political projects
19:35Narendra Modi provided the messaging and the mass appeal
19:39Shah focused on building the organization required to convert that appeal into votes
20:15The period between 2024 and 2026 became an important phase in Narendra Modi's political journey
20:23It began with a third consecutive national mandate
20:27It continued through significant legislative battles in Parliament
20:36And it unfolded alongside a succession of electoral victories across the country
20:47Haryana returned the BJP to power for a third consecutive term
20:56Maharashtra delivered one of the largest mandates in the state's history
21:03Delhi brought the party back to power after 27 years
21:14Bihar reinforced the durability of the NDA alliance
21:21And for the first time BJP got its own CM in the state in Samrat Chaudhary
21:31Bengal completed a political project that had remained unfinished for more than a decade
21:47Each election had its own local leadership
21:52Social equations and political context
21:57Congress posed different challenges in Haryana and Maharashtra
22:02The Aamadbi party remained the principal contest in Delhi
22:07Dejasvi Yadav attempted to position himself as the face of change in Bihar
22:13Mamata Banerji sought a fourth consecutive term in Bengal
22:18Yet one feature remained constant
22:22Narendra Modi remained at the centre of the BJP's political preposition
22:29At a time when questions were being asked about the contours of a third term
22:37Election after election reaffirmed his position as the party's principal campaigner
22:45And most recognizable political phase
22:52The BJP's victories between 2024 and 2026 were shaped by local leaders
23:00Organizational strength and regional dynamics
23:04But they were also tied together by Modi's ability
23:09To remain the party's biggest vote mobiliser
23:13More than a decade after first becoming Prime Minister
23:19Modi! Modi! Modi!
23:23Prime Minister Narendra Modi's latest diplomatic outreach in Italy
23:26Is drawing global attention
23:28Not just for the agreements signed
23:30But for the personal chemistry on display
23:33With Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
23:36From symbolic summits and cultural assertions
23:40To amplifying the global south
23:42Neighbourhood first
23:44And multi-polar balancing
23:46Prime Minister Modi has reshaped Indian foreign policy
23:50With a distinctly leader-centric approach
23:54Over the past decade
23:55Prime Minister Modi brought us a gift
23:59A very, very good toffee
24:01In Rome, a packet of Melody toffees captured global attention
24:06During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral visit
24:09To Italy in May 2026
24:12The first in 26 years
24:18The light-hearted gesture to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
24:23Shared widely on social media
24:25Revived Melody memes
24:27And underscored personal rappo amid strategic talks
24:36Discussions at Villa Doria Pamphili
24:39Targeted elevating ties to a special strategic partnership
24:43Aiming for 20 billion euros in bilateral trade by 2029
24:49Focus areas included defence, artificial intelligence, clean energy
24:55And the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor
24:59The informal exchange highlighted how personal chemistry amplifies broader objectives
25:12This style defines Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy since 2014
25:18Hosting Xi Jinping along the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad
25:23Joining Shinzo Abe for the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi
25:29And the informal summit with Xi at Mamalapuram's ancient monuments
25:35What has happened has proved that we have made the right decision
25:39Blended symbolism and direct engagement
25:43The 2020 Namaste Trump event at Motera Stadium
25:47Tailored public spectacle to strengthen partnerships
26:00India's 2023 G20 presidency decentralised events across over 50 cities
26:08From Kashmir to Kerala
26:11Showcasing national diversity
26:13While amplifying the voice of the global south
26:17Cultural assertion forms a key pillar
26:20Since 2014 India has repatriated over 600 stolen antiquities
26:25Through sustained diplomacy with the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Netherlands and others
26:37Returns include the 19th century Nataraj bronze from Australia
26:42The 12th century parrot lady from Canada
26:45And major tranche of temple artefact from the US
26:49These recoveries raised during bilateral visits
26:54Restore civilizational heritage and enhance soft power
27:01Prime Minister Modi has strongly amplified the global south's concerns
27:06Through voice of global south summits convening over 120 countries
27:11India has pushed for climate justice, debt relief, food security and digital equity
27:20The Daktion Centre promotes knowledge sharing
27:24While the G20 secured permanent African Union membership
27:28Initiatives like Vaccine Maitri to over 100 nations
27:32And the International Solar Alliance
27:34Further India's leadership in equitable development
27:40Neighbourhood First
27:42Neighbourhood First remains a cornerstone
27:44Inviting regional leaders to key ceremonies
27:48Resolving the land boundary with Bangladesh
27:51Advancing energy and connectivity with Nepal and Bhutan
27:57And providing timely humanitarian support to Sri Lanka and Maldives have built resilience
28:07Emphasis on BIMSTEC has driven multi-sectoral cooperation, infrastructure and trade facilitation
28:14With a focus on non-reciprocal development
28:18Despite facing criticism, India became home to Sheikh Hasina after political developments in Bangladesh
28:25Reflecting a humanitarian and strategic approach to neighbourhood stability
28:32The Middle East connect has been transformed through personal warmth
28:36With leaders like Saudi Crown Prince and UAE President
28:41Modi's rapport with Mohammed bin Salman often referring to him as a brother
28:47Has deepened energy security, defence and investment ties
28:53With MBZ, repeated hugs and personal receptions have elevated the comprehensive strategic partnership
29:01Driving trade, technology and regional stability initiatives
29:07Big diaspora events such as the historic address to Sydney's Alphonse Arena
29:13And similar high-visibility gatherings in the Gulf
29:16Have strengthened people-to-people bonds alongside government-level engagement
29:23This balanced, multipolar engagement was visible at the September 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin
29:32Where Modi, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin shared a warm huddle marked by laughter and camaraderie
29:41The image surfaced amid active India-US trade negotiations on tariffs, market access and supply chains
29:51Demonstrating how personal diplomacy helps navigate complex geopolitics while safeguarding core interests
30:01Global recognition underscores this approach
30:04By mid-2026, Prime Minister Modi has received over 30 highest civilian honours
30:12From countries across continents
30:16More than any previous Indian leader
30:19These awards from nations across the Global South, Europe, the Middle East and beyond
30:25Reflect appreciation for India's leadership in development, peace and multilateralism
30:34From the Sabarmati to Rome
30:37Artifact returns to Global South platforms
30:42Neighbourhood connectivity and Middle East partnerships
30:46To SCO visuals alongside US engagements and international honours
30:52Prime Minister Modi's model
30:55Integrates personal rapport, cultural assertion and strategic outreach
31:01In a fragmented world, this leader-centric diplomacy makes Indian foreign policy more visible, adaptive and rooted in national priorities
31:15Friends
31:15Somewhere in the space
31:22Enferno about 10,000 leaders
31:23For the first time to strive to be a leader in the world
31:23We'll support the voices of each and every country
31:23Of all of us, the beloved community in the world
31:24The other one will support us
31:24We'll support us
31:25We'll support you
31:29Can help us
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